DAY 1-3
After discovering the vibrant city of Ulaanbaatar and sampling some of its museums and multinational restaurants you will fly to the westernmost province of Mongolia. Kazak people living in the area are the largest national minority and practice Sunni Muslim. A colorful spectrum of some other smaller ethnic groups also reside in the province.

Your guide accompanies you throughout the trip. After half a day of driving across mountainous desert we camp in the valley of mighty Khovd river. Here you make your first contact with friendly locals.

DAYS 4-7
Hurgan and Hoton are pretty alpine lakes at an altitude of 2073m. A number of moraines, which are the result of earlier glaciations, and spectacular mountains, covered in snow surround these two lakes. We drive alongshore till we reach our camp at Hoton lake’s wooded southern side. Water temperature permitting we go for a swim before a delicious meal served by our chef.

Terrain will allow us a steady warm up: The terrain is made of gentle hills and small flat valleys that lie along Hoton lake. They are sparsely dotted with white yurts of Kazaks, living in the area, who sometimes will approach to greet you. Several streams flowing into the lake from neighboring mountains are to be crossed or waded. Another 4 days of intensive trek through wooded hills, rugged mountains, rushing streams and high passes will take us to the milky white waters of Tsagaan river flowing from the vast glaciers of the Tavan Bogd Peaks.

Supported by Tuvan hunters carry our gear with their camels you can fully enjoy this wilderness trek.

DAYS 8-11
After a well deserved rest at Tsagaan river we’ll hike to base camp of the Tavan Bogd. This gradual ascent takes us through a high mountain terrain of rocks and wetlands. Not needing luck you will see some of the wildlife that inhabit the area including marmots, hares and a number of birds such us Golden Eagles, Black Vultures and Falcons.

Our tents and provision will be again transported by camels. Upon completing two thirds’ of the way there open majestic perspectives of Potanin and Alexander glaciers backed by the icy peaks of Khuiten (4374m), Nairamdal (4082m), Snowchurch (4071m), Malchin (4050m), and Cradle (4113m). This evening we camp at 2900m.

On DAY 10 we climbtThe 4051m Malchin peak, the lowest of the Five Peaks. Malchin’s ridgeline overlaps with the borderline of Mongolia and Russia and provides a spectacular bird's eye view of Potanin glacier, glaciated peaks and Russia. Over to the north, weather permitting, you will see the massif of Mt.Belukha (4500m) lying in Russia. That is the absolute top of Altai mountain range.

Back to Tsagaan river, we say good-bye to our Tuvan friends to make a day long drive to airstrip from where we catch our return flight to Ulaanbaatar.